Electrode-packing for melting-furnaces.



M. SPERLING.

ELECTRODE PACKING FOR MELTING FURNACES.

APPLICATION FILED nov. 13. 1914.

1,234,946. Patented July 31,1917.

UNITED STATES PATENT omnon.

MARTIN SPERLING, OF E SSEN-ON-THE-RUHR, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO FRIED. KRUP'J? AKTIENGESELLSGHAFT, 0F ESSEN-ON-THE-RUHR, GERMANY.

ELECTRODE-PACKING FOR MELTING-FURNACES.

Application filed November 13, 1914. Serial No. 871,968.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Dr. MARTIN SPERLING, residin at Essen/Ruhr, Germany, a citizen of the erman Empire, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Electrode-Packings for Melting-Furnaces, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates'to electrode packings for melting furnaces, which have the electrodes mounted in an annular member in the furnace cover. The object of the present invention is now to provide an electrode packing, which is applicable not only to electrodes that are freely suspended, but also to electrodes which are firmly fixed in the usual manner on an electrode carrier. The invention resides in the use of an interchangeable packing ring, closely fitting around the electrode, and resting on top of the annular member, which incloses the electrode leaving considerable play, the annular member and the packing ring being easily displaceable relative to each other transversely to the electrode.

One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing show ing a melting furnace in vertical section with electrode. packings.

Watercooled iron annular members D of known construction are inserted in the cover B where the electrodes A run through. Each annular member is provided with a liner al made from insulating material. The inside diameter of the liner d at its narrowest place leaves ample play for the electrode A. i This play is necessary to compensate for inexactness in securing the electrode, and to prevent injury thereof on travel of the annular member, caused by the action of the heat. At its upper surface, the liner (1 is flattened to form a seat for an iron ring-E, which is also rovided with an insulating bushing 6 he bushin e incloses the electrode A with very slig t play,

so that a tight closure of the opening in the annular member is assured.

The packing ring E is held stationary by the electrode during the travel of the annular member D. All injury to the electrode is thus avoided, as, on account of the described seating of the packing ring E, the annular member and the packing ring are easily movable relative to each other transversely to the electrode. As during the travel of the annular member, the space between it and the electrode will remain covered, the packing action is secured even when the annular member travels. When the diameterof the electrode through long use has been diminished so much, that a larger play has arisen between it and the liner 6 of the packing ring E, the packing ring will be replaced by one of narrower bushing. As the packing ring is easily replaced, a lasting effective packing has consequently been produced.

I claim:

1. An electrode-packing for" melting furnaces comprising a fluid cooled annular member rigidly secured in the roof of the furnace, said member having an inwardly projecting flange and'a liner of insulating material seated thereon, said flange and liner having each a central opening of greater diameter than that of the electrode; a tight-fitting packing ring around the electrode, said packing ring being suspended from the top of said liner so as to permit movement of the electrode in said openings in a direction transversely to its axis.

2. An electrode-packing for melting furnaces comprisin an annular member secured in the roo of the furnace and inclosing the electrode with considerable play, a tight-fitting packing ring around the electrode, said packing ring being situated loosely on top of said annular member and slidably relatively thereto in transverse direction to the electrode; said packing ring having an outer metallic casing and a core of insulating material.

The foregoing specification signed at Barmen, Germany, this 2nd day of October,

MARTIN SPER'LING. [L.s.] In presence of-- HELEN Norma, Amnnr New. 

